Cancer is a disease that can be treated if diagnosed in an early stage. The lack of knowledge is often the factor that prevents successful diagnosing at an early stage to commence early treatment, BNN was told by representatives of Healthcare Ministry, National Health Service and Disease Prevention and Control Center.

In Latvia, the state pays for breast, cervical and intestinal cancer screening.

«Although generally people believe cancer is untreatable, this is not true. Cancer is a disease whose treatment results depend on how early or how late the disease was diagnosed. This is why regular health checks are important,» BNN was told by healthcare experts.

Healthcare Ministry and National Health Service have been maintaining a state-funded cancer screening programme since 2009. Examinations performed as part of the programme help residents keep track of their health and prevent cancer at an early stage.

Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the most common form of oncological disease often diagnosed for women in Latvia – every year 1,000 women are diagnosed with it. ‘Breast cancer develops from breast tissue. If allowed to progress, cancer can spread to the rest of the body. This is the most common and most research oncological disease with the most varied forms of treatment – if discovered early, it can be beaten,’ say representatives of Disease Prevention and Control Center.

Breast cancer screening is performed using mammography method – it is a form of low-intensity x-ray screening to detect any changes in tissue. Unlike ultrasonography, mammography allows doctors to check both breasts by section, from the tip to armpit. The process is painless, but it can still cause unpleasant sensation for more sensitive women because the process does involve putting some pressure on the breasts to give a better x-ray image, doctors explain.

Women aged 50 to 69 are sent an invitation letter once every two years to come undergo breast cancer screening.

Cervical cancer screening

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumour that forms within cervical mucus tissue. The main cause for this cancer is infection with human papilloma virus.

Statistical data shows – every third cervical cancer case out of 241 in 2016 was uncovered in a late phase. According to specialists, the only way to spot the formation of cervical cancer in an early stage is to undergo regular health check-ups. During a gynaecological inspection a cytologic smear is taken from a woman’s cervix. The sample is then taken to a laboratory for tests. The process is painless and takes a couple of seconds. It does, however, help uncovered cancer in an early stage.

Intestinal cancer screening

Intestinal health is a topic people often are too shy to discuss even with closest friends and family members, but this form of cancer is the most common one for men and women. The illness progresses with no visible symptoms, which is the reason why more than half of intestinal cancer cases in Latvia are discovered late. Intestinal cancer is a form of malignant tumour that initially forms in the colon or rectum. Most cases deal with patients older than 50, specialists say.

Intestinal cancer screening is also paid by the state in Latvia – men and women aged 50 to 74 undergo screening every year.

Data compiled by International Data Corporation shows: every third illegally downloaded software programme is infected with malicious software. Nevertheless, 69% of consumers and 33% of businesses in Europe procure computers with software from unsafe sources.

Higher prices of oil have allowed the Russian economy to recover despite European Union's and U.S. sanctions and in time to benefit the Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has secured his next term in office.

In 2017, there were 17.0 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which was 2.6 thousand vacancies or 17.9 % more than in 2016. In public sector there were 6.1 thousand job vacancies van in private sector 10.9 thousand vacancies.

Cosmetics producers in Latvia export products worth EUR 20 million every year. Volumes increase 5% every year. The main export partner states are located in Europe. Still, there has been a significant increase of export volumes to third countries – to some countries this increase was as large as 60% -70%, according to data from Latvian Cosmetic Manufacturers Association.

American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (ACCL): «We are concerned that Latvian society’s and its government’s political culture has not changed much since the publication of information detailing events associated with Ridzene talks in 2009-2011. The state capture detailed there may still be possible...

On Monday, 19 March, weather in Latvia will change, as a low atmospheric pressure area together with an atmospheric front will approach the country from the north. The day will be sunny for the most part, but the amount of clouds will increase as hours go by, as reported by State Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.

In a reaction to Russia's announcement that it would expel 23 British diplomats from Moscow as part of the UK-Russia argument over poisoning of double-agent in an English city, Ukrainian Foreign Minister has suggested to his British counterpart that the 23 diplomats could now work in Ukraine.

Aivars Lembergs, who is accused of serious crimes and is currently suspended from his post as chairman of Ventspils City Council, had proposed his candidacy for the post of prime minister of Latvia multiple times in the past. The moment has come at long last when Lembergs will not be an official candidate for the aforementioned post, as BNN was told by the leader of Union of Greens and Farmers’ Saeima faction Augusts Brigmanis.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin been announced as the winner of the Sunday, March 18, presidential election, as the politician has pledged to devote his new term in office to strengthen Russia’s defences against the West and to improve the quality of life.

Some 5,000 people gathered outside the Lithuanian parliament in Vilnius on Thursday, March 15, to express discontent with the failed parliamentary vote to impeach MP Mindaugas Bastys and the performance of the ruling Lithuanian Farmers and Greens Union.

The Legionnaires’ remembrance procession in Riga on Friday, 16 March, passed peacefully. Nevertheless, several conflicts did take place among differently-minded people near the Freedom Monument. Two individuals were arrested by police.

In Latvia, 36% of small and medium-sized companies have plans to invest in the development of their business this year. In Estonia and Lithuania, on the other hand, the proportion of businesses with development plans is 42% and 46%, respectively, according to results of a recent study performed by SEB Bank.

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The State Revenue Service has declined 18,000 cash registers as unfitting for requirements established by the Cabinet of Ministers. Fixing the problems found in them would cost half a million euros, as reported by LNT News.

Administrative District Court has compiled a shortened ruling, in which it rejected Latvian Anti-Nazi Committee’s application and preserved the decision imposed by Riga City acting CEO on 13 March 2018 on establishing restrictions on the planned gathering and protest act for 16 March unchanged.